Research
The Ontario BioCar Initiative
The Ontario BioCar Initiative represents a partnership between the automotive industry and the public sector, aimed at accelerating the use of biomass in automotive materials.
The research team from four Universities, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and University of Windsor, was granted $5.9M from the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, $5.9M matching Institutional funds and $5.9M from 12 private sector partners. Through this public and private sector research, we will establish a globally leading initiative to bring products from the field and forest to the highway. With the focus on the replacement of petroleum-based products by biochemicals and high content bio-fibre materials, the outcomes of research will have a significant positive effect on the profitability of Ontario farming, Ontario forestry, and create a sustainable, competitive edge for the Ontario automotive value chain.
OMAFRA Biomaterials Projects
The University’s expertise in life sciences, crop and livestock genetics, breeding and production, environmental management, and business/market analysis provides a natural platform for our involvement in research on new products and new technologies to address emerging needs and market opportunities for a broad spectrum of bio-products. Much of the University of Guelph’s science expertise in the fields of nutrition, engineering, processing, and other food related disciplines is also relevant and applicable to bio-products applications.
To achieve success in this area requires considerable linkages with other universities in Ontario and internationally to gain access to expertise in critical engineering and materials handling sciences. These linkages have been developed within many of the funded projects and includes, as an example, significant linkages with Guelph's nearest University neighbours, the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo. Further, these projects are enhanced through collaborations with industry leaders in the areas of biocomposites, biopolymers, and biofilters.
